Best laid plans....

Outfit 129 - 2013-14 School Year

I'm a planner. I have my lists in my head of everything. I know what each of my kids has on any given day all of the time. I plan vacations. I plan holidays. I have control issues. I have been learning a tough lesson this week - life doesn't always care about your plans. Tomorrow, she was supposed to go to Stone Mountain in Atlanta for her 5th grade end of the year field trip. It was cancelled due to weather and rescheduled to next week. We were supposed to leave Friday for a trip that has been in the making for a year. That is all in the process of getting cancelled. We were supposed be having Mother's Day dinner Sunday at IHOP. We ended up in the ICU waiting room with my mother fighting for her life. But, one thing I planned worked out and that was my handmade challenge. I have been so frustrated trying to find blogs that talked about sewing for older kids. My frustration turned into drive as I started this blog and committed to sewing her clothes this school year. Plans have come and gone and lots of life happened along the way. I never planned to break my shoulder in September, I never planned to sew through fevers, ridiculously busy times, or sewing through my mother's illness. However, I have made it to the end of this journey. Along the way I have met amazing people - pattern designers who are cranking out awesome patterns for tweens, seamstresses interesting in sewing for their tweens, and friends who were just curious whether or not this day would come. That the Handmade Challenge would be started and completed. Since our vacation plans have changed, she actually will continue on through school through next week. However, since they are having field day, the field trip and other non-school days, I decided that sticking to today would be best. Also, with the situation with my mom, it is a good place for me to rest. The blog is not leaving by any stretch of the imagination. It is just getting started. Now, I will have time to work on tutorials and patterns, and I will be able to make more elaborate things where this year I typically only had a day to get garments constructed. I am so grateful for everyone who has come on this journey with me.

My 'plan' had been to end on an amazing high note with something elaborate and amazing. Well, you see what has happened to my plans. So, we are ending on a note that I think will resonate with all of my sewing friends. Sometimes you have to sew something that is quick and works. My friend Astrid from SIG Creations came to the rescue with her newest tween pattern - The Amalie Ruffled Bloomers. This pattern comes in sizes 6-14 and has insttructions for a circle with an anchor applique included.

I paired it with a pre-existing nautical shirt I already had because by the time I got home from the hospital last night, it took me until around 130 to finish. 

Friends, I present the 129th outfit to conclude the end of our elementary years.

This challenge has definitely been a challenge. But, I have grown as a seamstress and a blogger. I have this memory with my daughter that neither of us will ever forget. We have also generated many large bags of clothing donations for a local women's and children's shelter, as we donated the items she didn't want to keep. 

Sometimes the best things in life aren't the things that we plan anyway. I don't know what path this detour is going to take us down. My mom is still in the ICU. Her infection looks to be better but her kidney failure is worse. We met with the nephrologist today and he is going to be watching over the next 24-48 hours to see if we need to start dialysis. She is still sedated on the ventilator. They were able to get her off of one of her blood pressure medicines, but we still have to get her off the other and have her hold her pressure before we can try to wean her off the vent. But, I am continuing to pray for a full recovery. 

This is my mom.

As I said, the blog isn't leaving, but I am definitely going to be taking some time to focus on my dad and hopefully supporting my mom as she continues to recover. We are praying fervently that she will come home. 

Thank you for coming and thank you for your support.